Method for cutting a cord reinforced elastomeric laminate

A method of cutting an uncured rubber laminate, the laminate having a fixed width, a thickness, and a length longer than required, to a predetermined length, the laminate after cutting being used to form a carcass for a radial ply pneumatic tire, the laminate having a ply that becomes radially oriented in the tire, the ply being reinforced by parallel cords and two or more non-reinforced elastomeric components laminated to the ply, the method of cutting comprising the steps of;

• a) supporting the laminate at a position spaced from a cutting element;
• b) urging the cutting element into cutting engagement with the laminate;
• c) orienting the cutting element at an angle .theta. relative to a plane perpendicular to a ply surface and parallel to the ply cords, the angle .theta. being greater than 70.degree.;
• d) cutting the laminate by advancing the cutting element, the cutting element including a wire that is advanced within the laminate to create the cut, the laminate being cut across a majority of the laminate width and thickness while maintaining a majority of a portion of the cutting element that engages the laminate at an angle .theta., the cutting element being guided by adjacent parallel cords in a region of the ply, and wherein the cutting is achieved by changing relative orientation of the ply and the cutting element to a second angle .beta., wherein .beta. is less than .theta., prior to the cutting element entering the ply, and then cutting into the ply, and after the cutting element enters the ply, changing relative position of the ply and the cutting element to the angle .theta., and then cutting the laminate across remainder of said width,
• e) moving the cut laminate a predetermined distance in a direction parallel with the laminate length;
• and
• f) cutting the laminate a second time with the cutting element repeating steps c, d and e above, thereby forming a cut section of laminate having cut ends, each cut end having a cut surface area the cut surface areas being spaced a predetermined distance required to enable the cut ends to be spliced together in forming a cylindrical carcass from the cut section.